Resumen (otros idiomas)

Maternal death is still a serious problem in Brazil, especially because the majority of these deaths are avoidable. The underestimating of these deaths has contributed to the covering-up of this reality. In order to complete a diagnostic report in Salvador, this
study examined the death certificates that were written during the time period of January 1 to December 31, 1993, based on information from medical logs and medical reports
from the Legal -Medical Institute (Instituto Medical Legal), and interviews with family members. 951 cases were studied: these obituaries are reflective of a whole range of women of child-bearing age (10-49). The original certificates were compared to the revised versions and a base of additional information. The system of recording mortality and the problems of documenting the causes of maternal death were analyzed. Finally a description of the manner of completing these obituaries was made...